Honea Path in Anderson County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

The Story of the Bell

By Mrs. Mary Meyers

Photographed by Brian Scott, November 2, 2010

1. The Story of the Bell Marker

Inscription. The talk was the dream of Rev. J.A. Marler, Pastor, to have a church bell. The members were too poor to buy one. Several men began to make plans to purchase a bell by raising money through pledges. Mr. George Lollis, Chairman of Chiquola Manufacturing Company, approached Carolina Textile Company, a supplier to Chiquola, to obtain a bell. The Carolina Textile company donated the bell. The bell community surprised Rev. Marler with the bell. Since he lived out of town, this was possible. It Rang the first time before Rev. Marler's 11:00 AM service. Rev. Marler jumped up and began to shout and cry. It was rung every Sunday at 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM, and at 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM to announce church services. The bell was rung at funerals. Mr. Ben (Uncle Ben) David rang the bell until he retired in 1958. He went home to be with the Lord on March 13, 1959. He served faithfully for twenty-seven years as church custodian and reminds us of the words of the Psalmist,
"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of God."
After his retirerment, Harold and Delane Fisher rang the bell until 1959.
The bell rang again in August 1980 at the 75th anniversary of Chiquola Baptist Church.
Now! The bell can be rung again. Installed 2007.

Erected

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2007 by Chiquola Baptist Church.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1896.

Location. 34° 26.783′ N, 82° 23.25′ W. Marker is in Honea Path, South Carolina, in Anderson County. It can be reached from East Greer Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located near the bell memorial, which is located to the left of the church's south entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 405 East Greer Street, Honea Path SC 29654, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate

and in the Greater Greenville-Spartanburg Area. It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Deep South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 10 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Chiquola Baptist Church Bell (here, next to this marker); David Greer, Sr. (approx. ¼ mile away); Panoramic Journey Through Honea Path (approx. ¼ mile away); Carnegie Library (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honea Path (approx. 0.3 miles away); Honea Path Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); They Died for the Rights of the Working Man (approx. 0.4 miles away); Chiquola Mill Monument (approx. 0.4 miles away); Southside Baptist Church (approx. 1.4 miles away); James Kay House / Gentsville (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Honea Path.

Also see . . . Chiquola Baptist Church.

Bell Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, November 2, 2010

2. Bell Memorial

Official website of Chiquola Baptist Church. (Submitted on November 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)

Chiquola Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, November 2, 2010

3. Chiquola Baptist Church

Chiquola Baptist Church Entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, November 2, 2010

4. Chiquola Baptist Church Entrance

Chiquola Baptist Church Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brian Scott, November 2, 2010

5. Chiquola Baptist Church Sign

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,014 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on November 27, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.